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• Number of invitations
• Number of enclosures (response card, reception card, information card)
• Inner and Outer envelope or single envelope
• Number of ink colors
• Flat (one piece of paper invitation), Layered or Pocket
• Custom design
• Ribbons, seal or other embellishments
• Print method

The Bridal Association of America notes that the average couple spends $659 on invitations and reply cards.  Our clients tend to fall right in line with that mark.  The client with 100 thermographed one layer invitation, response card set and return address printing walks out for $475 while the client purchasing 100 pocket invitations with an additional enclosure, custom seals and additional layers is more likely to spend $800 or more.

one layer invitation with standard ink color

one layer invitation with 2 custom ink colors and coordinating ribbon

Do-it-yourseflt kits can be a great way to save on invitations.  Make sure you have a way to print them.  Many of the national chain printers will not print on papers that you provide.  If you find someone that will do it, make sure you provide 20% extra paper for printer jams or errors.  You can always take back the box you never had to use; but it can be difficult to find additional boxes of invitations purchased on sale.

Additional Costs:

When you are planning for your wedding invitation and stationery budget, here are some additional items to factor in:

• Postage to mail (more expensive for squares, larger sizes or extra enclosures)
• Postage for response envelopes (using postcards save on envelope costs and is a lower postage rate)
• Save the Dates and postage
• Ceremony Programs
• Escort Cards/Place Cards/Table Numbers
• Thank You Notes

Cost Saving Tips:

Compare prices on line before you purchase to give you a good indicator of what to expect as you walk into a studio or storefront.  Don't be afraid to tell the person you are working with what your budget is ~ they should be able to direct you to selections that fit your budget or how to simplify a more elaborate design to work for you.  It can be frustrating to sift through hundreds of designs and options only to find out that they are 2x as much as you are looking to spend.  If you find something over the top that you love ~ ask how you can do it for less.

Working with independent designers or home-based studios will help you save on cost.  We aren't paying the overhead that comes along with a retail storefront or large staff and we pass those savings onto you.  Just make sure you check reviews or get recommendations.

Final Thoughts:


We hear many brides say they don't want to break the bank on invitations because they are "just going to be thrown away".  We agree....ultimately that is where they will probably end up.

However, before they make their way to the garbage, the will let your guests know what type of event you are hosting.  Casual, formal, rustic, traditional, beach, simple or modern.  They can bring attention to the hours that you have spent on the details of your day.  They can tie together your colors, venue and personal taste as the first major introduction for the event and start a theme you will carry throughout the day.

We took the plunge!  After over four years in business we participated in Carolina's largest bridal show this weekend at the Charlotte Convention Center.  We met so many great people with fabulous creative ideas for their wedding invitations.

Here are a few shots of our booth

A new giveaway!!!  Hurry - ends January 29th - click here for details...

We follow Jesstagirl's blog because she's a brilliant writer, fun to follow on all things related wedding...and she's one of our clients.

She's doing a multi-part series on her wedding invitations.  We provided the design and thermography printing services and she did the final assembly.  Even we are staying tuned to see the final product. It isn't very often that the bride gets to see the finished product first!

Here's a link and some images and her comments from her blog:
http://jessicalynnwrites.blogspot.com/

A font can do so much for your wedding invitation by setting your style and in giving your guests the feel of the day.  Choose an elegant script font (such as bickham) paired with traditional italian papers and you are letting them know it is a more formal affair.  Go for something a little more whimsical such as the Feel font, and it tends to be a casual soiree.

We believe you should never get too attached to a font until you see your name in it ~ what works great for one name, doesn't have the same effect for another.

We have an extensive collection of fonts from around the world, but these tend to be our tried and true favorites.

Here are a few more new save the dates.  We are continuing to see a lot of peacock blues and purples!  Once again, thanks to Jeremie Barlow Photography for providing us with images for our templates.

I couldn't resist the opportunity for two blogs in one day when I can share the work of other local wedding vendors in addition to some of our own concepts.

Style Perfect owner and planner, Carla Eustache developed a concept shoot for a garden reception at Concord's Orchard House.  The Orchard House is an estate built in 1853 that has been refurbished and is perfect for garden ceremonies and receptions.


Are are a few of the images from the concept shoot.  Ella Elise provided invitations, menu cards and favor / table card labels.  Be sure to check out all of the fabulous vendors!

It's been too long since our last blog!  We took two weeks off to spend the holidays with our families and enjoy a little vacation.  My family has been preparing for the arrival of our 3rd child this summer and Ella is convinced it will be a girl (even though we aren't finding out).

We are looking forward to the Charlotte Bridal Showcase at the end of the month and hope to see you there.

Here are a two save the date concepts that we have recently worked on. Thank you to Jeremie Barlow for providing the images.

Best wishes to everyone in 2010!

Charlotte-based photographer Jeremie Barlow has done it again!  Her work is featured with much praise on www.labellebride.com.  Here are just a few of the images:

We will be following up with some additional images of the wedding stationery, but be sure to check out Kristin Vining's blog on Jackie and Jonathan's Wedding.

Check out these upcoming events at Hayden Olivia and Congrats to owner Heather Batt on her new baby boy!


Couture SAMPLE SALE/Stella & Dot Trunk Show (gowns will be priced from $500 and up)
December 3-5 

Vineyard Collection and Reverie by Melissa Sweet
December 10-12

Augusta Jones/New Designer at Hayden Olivia
December 17-19

We were thrilled to be part of a giveaway through the popular Brenda's Wedding Blog.  It was so fun to watch the result for favorite invites come in and we wanted to share them with you.
Here our the favorite Ella Elise designs as voted by the giveaway contestants:

We've read the over the top and embellished script fonts will be a big trend in wedding invitations for 2010.  It immediately made me think of one of our designs.

We get mixed responses when we show our clients this sample.  They either absolutely love love love the flourish of the font, or they find in difficult to read.  It is definitely a fun invite and the font is truly beautiful and flexible.  You can use multiple versions of this font to get the effect of the flourish but in a more simple approach.

We've got a little bit of retro to the feel of this card - either as a holiday card or party invitation - it is sure to stand out.  Check out all of our holiday cards as we continue to update www.eestationery.com

Check it out --- we are featured with our giveaway on Brenda's Blog, a popular wedding blog site. You can view the feature at http://www.brendasweddingblog.com/blogs/2009/11/17/giveaway-50-to-shop-at-ella-elise-invitation-studio.html.

Awesome - Let us know what you think!!

We just had to highlight this ADORABLE save the date for Rachel & Brent.  The amazing photo by Indigo Photography gave me an easy canvas to work from.

A great photo save the date, starts with a great photo!